Chris Russell, president of the North Texas Alarm Association, recently sent us a note to help keep security dealers abreast of policy in Dallas.
In Dallas, Texas, the city alarm ordinance, in section 15c-7.1(b), states that:
An alarm company that has a contract with a permit holder or person in control of an alarm system shall send a certification to the chief within 10 days of performing or causing the performance of an alarm system installation or conversion.
According to Sgt. Gene Hale of the Dallas Police Department, that requirement has been part of the ordinance since 1995, an ordinance which was created in partnership with local alarm industry representatives. Despite the fact that the ordinance has always required that 'notification of installation,' Hale says that the city had previously been unable to thoroughly enforce the requirement to staffing requirements.
With recent staffing changes, however, Sgt. Hale says that the Dallas Police Department will now be enforcing that part of the ordinance and has asked that all installing alarm companies submit notice of their installations or conversion. In a conversation with SecurityInfoWatch.com, Sgt. Hale stressed that security dealers should recognize that this only applies to the city of Dallas, and not to all of Dallas County or even nearby cities like Carollton, Texas. As part of the conversation, Sgt. Hale also stressed that dealers need to do business with monitoring companies that are license in the state. A list of those licensed companies is available online at the Texas Department of Safety Private Security Bureau (formerly the Commission on Private Security): http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/
As part of the renewed effort at enforcement, dealers are asked to submit the following installation information to the Dallas Police Department via fax. Please also note that a form is available from the alarm office (call 214-671-4120). Please assist your fellow security dealers by distributing this information to associates and other local companies who may need to be advised of this strengthened enforcement.
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City Of Dallas - Alarm Installation Notification
Dallas City Ordinance 15c-7.1(b)
An alarm company that has a contract with a permit holder or person in control of an alarm system shall send a certification to the chief within 10 days of performing or causing the performance of an alarm system installation or conversion
Address of Installation:_________________________
____________________________________________
Permit Number:_______________________________
Date of Install:________________________________
Occupant/Business Name:_____________________
____________________________________________
Phone Number:_______________________________
Secondary Phone:_____________________________
Alarm Company:______________________________
____________________________________________
State License:________________________________
Was the person trained on how to operate the system?
Yes/No (circle one)
Complete copies of written operating instructions
for the system, including written guidelines how to
avoid false alarms be given to the customer?
Yes/No (circle one)
Information given on what do to cancel an alarm?
Yes/No (circle one)
Was the customer made aware of the requirements under Dallas City Ordinance 15c?
Yes/No (circle one)
___________________________________________
Signature of Installer conducting the above interview
___________________________________________
Print Name & State License Number
I understand that any false statement can result in prosecution, along with possible administrative sanctions by the Department of Public Safety-Commission on Private Security
___________________________________________
Signature of Homeowner/Business Owner listed as Permit Holder
Fax completed form to:
Dallas Police Alarm Squad (214) 671-4643
The Dallas Police Department is not responsible for unreceived or misdirected faxes. It is your company's responsibility to insure that the fax is received in a readable condition.
